1995 Dodge DAKOTA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
129 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
98,425 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 129 complaints (7.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 18 | 14.0% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 11.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 7.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Structure:Frame And Members: 8; Seat Belts: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Steering: 6; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 5; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 6
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 105 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 25 |
| 1996 | 25 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1995: 25; 1996: 25; 2000: 20; 2001: 13; 2002: 11; 2003: 8; 2004: 12; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 3; 2018: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10071230 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THIS IS JUST A RUN DOWN ON REPAIRS I MADE TO MY VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AT THE FACTORY. FIRST OF ALL, THE BRAKE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I KNOW OF THAT HAS TO HAVE AIR IN THE FRONT CALIPHERS TO WORK. I HAD TO PUT BEARINGS IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLIES. THE FRONT ONE CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITHOUT A BEARING IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501218 · 1996-03-05 (March 5, 1996)
BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060487 · 2004-03-05 (March 5, 2004)
I AM SUBMITTING THIS REPORT AS A RESULT OF THE REPORTED ONGOING INVESTIGATION REGARDING A DAKOTA/DURANGO WHEEL PROBLEM. ON 21 MAY 97 THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY OF MY 1995 DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP TRUCK COLLAPSED JUST AFTER I HAD PARKED THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. VIN NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED (INVOICE STATES SEIZED AND BROKEN STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY). I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN NOV 94. I PREVIOUSLY HAD REPORTED A PROBLEM REGARDING A NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TO THE DEALER IN MARCH 95 (BUSHING…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,588 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092599 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
AIR BAG MALFUNCTION ON 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. *MR THE AIR BAG WAS INOPERATIVE, SINCE NO ONE WAS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY, THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THE FACTORY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME, THE STEERING COLUMN DISPLAYED A NOISE WHEN TURNING, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCK DID NOT UNLOCK WITH THE KEY OR THE REMOTE INTERMITTENTLY, AND THERE WAS CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END. ALSO, REFER TO ODI# 10092738 (SAME CONSUMER). *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070508 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHEN I DRIVE 50 + MILES, TRANSMISSION WON'T UP SHIFT UNLESS I TAKE FOOT OFF GAS, IT HAS DONE THIS ABOUT 12 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN FEB . ALSO TRUCK HAS ROLLED AHEAD WHEN IN PARK 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE IN FEB.
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502020 · 1996-02-29 (February 29, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092738 · 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 1995 DODGE DAKOTA. *MR WHILE, MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE BAD. AT 25596 THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED TO READ ACCURATELY, AT 59209, THE GAS CONNECTOR FAILED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE BREAK DOWN(S). THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH SPARK PLUG KNOCKING AND ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD A LEAK, THERE WERE UNRESOLVED SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, THE REPLACEMENT STEERING COL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092738 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486615 · 1995-05-26 (May 26, 1995)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSES HEAD LIGHTS TO DIM WHEN AIR CONDITIONER CYCLES ON AND OFF. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552004 · 2000-04-27 (April 27, 2000)
CONSUMERS HEARING IS SLIGHTLY DAMAGED AND CANNOT HEAR THE BUZZER THAT IS INSTALLED TO WARN THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN LEFT ON, THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE TRUCK BATTERY BEING TOTALLY DISCHARGED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL IN THE SITUATION. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033866 · 2003-08-13 (August 13, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JERK AND THEN STALL WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033866 at NHTSA ↗